Half of all websites failing users’ security

Web-users across Scotland are being put at risk by the failure of major websites to address a simple shortcoming in their security set-up.

The HTTPS ‘protocol’, by which information is sent online is the secure version of the more established HTTP and encrypts information sent to and from the website to your browser.

Without HTTPS, users’ information will be far easier to capture and read by an unscrupulous third party hacker – raising concerns for those filling out information on unsecured websites.

What’s more, around half of all websites[i] on the internet have failed to upgrade to the cost-free certification.

Gerry Grant, Chief Ethical Hacker with the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), said: “It really is essential to make sure that when you submit data to a website via a form that the website is using HTTPS.